WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:05.450 90% of a child’s brain capacity develops before age five. 00:00:05.450 --> 00:00:09.719 By age three a child’s brain has formed three quadrillion connections! 00:00:09.719 --> 00:00:14.060 This period of rapid mental growth is the best time for children to learn skills 00:00:14.060 --> 00:00:16.092 for early reading success. 00:00:16.110 --> 00:00:19.394 Caregivers can help young children develop early literacy skills 00:00:19.394 --> 00:00:23.449 by using these five practices, developed by early childhood experts. 00:00:23.449 --> 00:00:25.440 One, read. 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:28.470 The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading to children 00:00:28.470 --> 00:00:31.455 for 20 minutes each day 00:00:31.455 --> 00:00:32.900 Two, sing. 00:00:32.900 --> 00:00:36.677 Singing is an enjoyable way for children to learn the sounds that make up words 00:00:39.270 --> 00:00:40.600 3. TALK 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:43.670 Have back and forth conversations with words or actions. 00:00:45.420 --> 00:00:46.833 Four, play. 00:00:46.833 --> 00:00:50.387 Playing fosters imaginative and symbolic thinking. 00:00:51.580 --> 00:00:52.993 Five, write. 00:00:52.993 --> 00:00:55.656 Writing encourages fine motor skill development, 00:00:55.656 --> 00:00:58.320 including holding writing utensils. 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:00.450 Look for times to work these five practices 00:01:00.450 --> 00:01:02.080 into your daily routine, 00:01:02.080 --> 00:01:03.650 like: diaper changing time, 00:01:03.650 --> 00:01:08.230 bed time, car rides, bath time, or getting dressed. 00:01:08.230 --> 00:01:11.720 Just a few minutes each day of intentional skill building can help the children in your 00:01:11.720 --> 00:01:13.900 life be ready to read! 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:18.310 Visit herrickdl.org/EarlyLiteracy for more information on these Five Literacy 00:01:18.310 --> 00:01:19.049 Practices.